R18.8

Applicable To

• Ascites NOS

• Peritoneal effusion chronic)

Approximate Synonyms

• Ascites

• Ascites abnormal fluid in the abdomen)

Clinical Information

• A disorder characterized by accumulation of serous or hemorrhagic fluid in the peritoneal cavity.

• Abnormal buildup of fluid in the abdomen that may cause swelling. In late-stage cancer, tumor cells may be found in the fluid in the abdomen. Ascites also occurs in patients with liver disease.

• Accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity. The fluid may be serous, hemorrhagic, or the result of tumor metastasis to the peritoneum.

• Accumulation or retention of free fluid within the peritoneal cavity.

• An abnormal accumulation of serous fluid in the abdominal cavity

• Effusion and accumulation of serous fluid in the abdominal cavity.

Details

• R18.8 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes.

• The 2023 edition of ICD-10-CM R18.8 became effective on October 1, 2022.

• This is the American ICD-10-CM version of R18.8 – other international versions of ICD-10 R18.8 may differ.